Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Natural Phenomenon – Five years on, triple-tsunami anniversary highlights New Zealand’s ongoing risk

Source: National Emergency Management Agency – NEMA

Five years after three tsunamis struck New Zealand shores in one day, the National Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to get tsunami ready.

In the early hours of 5 March 2021, three powerful offshore earthquakes — a Magnitude 7.3 near East Cape followed by Magnitude 7.4 and 8.1 quakes in the Kermadecs — triggered three overlapping tsunami recorded around New Zealand.

NEMA’s Director for Civil Defence Emergency Management, John Price says, “Today is a reminder that all of New Zealand’s coastline is at risk of tsunami, and they can strike at any time. It’s essential we all understand our risks and have a plan – so you know the actions you need to take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

“In a local source tsunami – like one caused by an earthquake on the Hikurangi fault along the North Island’s East Coast – immediate self-evacuation is key to survival. Our mindset needs to change – all coastal communities and households need to get tsunami ready.

“Take action today – make a plan, practice your tsunami evacuation route, and remember, if an earthquake near the coast is long or strong, get gone.”

NEMA’s Chief Science Advisor, Prof Tom Wilson says that intensification of coastal development over the last few decades, a large tsunami today is likely to be very damaging, with the potential for widespread loss of life. The greatest danger comes from tsunami that can reach our shores within just one to two hours. A large tsunami is not like a normal ocean wave; instead, it is more like a large mass of water that surges inlane past the shoreline. These waves travel quickly – in the open ocean they can be as fast as a jet plane travelling at 800km/h. Large tsunami are highly destructive for coastal communities and can cause widespread loss of life.

Prof Wilson says research into the 5 March 2021 tsunami sequence shows that people often wait for an official warning before evacuating, when they should leave straight away upon experiencing a long or strong earthquake near the coast.

“Awareness of tsunami threat is high, but the science tells us that people aren’t always doing the right thing in the heat of the moment.  The more we plan and practice now, the easier it will be when we have a real tsunami event.

“The National Tsunami Evacuation Zone Map lets you look up the address of anywhere you live, work or play, and it will tell you straight away if you’re in a tsunami evacuation zone. Give it a go now and practice your route. It’s a nifty tool that could save your life.” (ref. https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/tsunami/tsunami-evacuation-zones )

Take these small steps today to get yourself tsunami ready:

  1. Know your zone
  2. Have a Prep Talk
  3. Learn the natural warning signs: Long or Strong, Get Gone!
  4. Work out what you need
  5. Practise your tsunami hīkoi
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Rural News – Search begins for the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers, Rural Women New Zealand and Brightstar are proud to announce the launch of the Rural Woman of the Year award, sponsored by Farmers Weekly.
Nominations are open now, with the inaugural winner to be announced at the Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) awards at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on 23 June.
“Launching this award is all about creating a platform to recognise our rural women and really celebrating their contribution,” says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford.
“Our rural communities are absolutely overflowing with talented women doing amazing things across the industry in farming, advocacy, grassroots leadership, and within their community.
“We want to shine a bright light on the work they’re doing to lead, inspire, connect and strengthen New Zealand’s rural communities and the wider agricultural sector.”
The award’s launch has been timed to align with International Women’s Day on Sunday the 8 March and is expected to attract a high calibre of nominees.
Rural Women New Zealand board chair Nicole Oliver says she’s excited to be launching an award to recognise the incredible achievements of rural women across the country.
“It’s important that rural women are recognised on a national and sector-wide stage, this award is about celebrating the impact an exceptional rural woman has,” she says.
“This inaugural award is all the more special as we celebrate our Centennial Year, 100 years of proudly advocating for women and rural communities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of Cushla and Dean Williamson and the AgriHQ team with our new Farmers Weekly partnership, and now with their sponsorship of this award.”
Oliver says the award is not limited to members of Rural Women New Zealand. Any woman with a connection to our rural communities is encouraged to apply.
“There are more than 400,000 potential nominees out there and we want to make sure there are absolutely no barriers for a worthy recipient of this award stepping forward and entering.
“Whether you’re milking cows in Morrinsville, shearing sheep in Waipukurau, volunteering for a local club in Gore, or working for Fonterra in Auckland’s CBD – this is the award for you.
“If your work has made a difference for our rural communities, the primary sector or New Zealand’s wider success, we want to celebrate you.”
Brightstar CEO Paula Cleghorn says the addition of this new award category fits perfectly with the vision and strategy for the wider Primary Industries New Zealand Awards.
“These awards are about bringing the entire primary sector together under one roof to celebrate collective success, and recognising our best and brightest,” she says.
“Half of rural New Zealand’s population are female, so it’s great to be introducing this new award category that specifically recognises their contribution and achievements.
“The Rural Woman of the Year award isn’t sector specific: it’s open to those in dairy, sheep & beef, arable, supporting industries, or even those who just live in rural New Zealand.
“I have no doubt this will be one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in New Zealand and I’m really looking forward to seeing who takes home the inaugural title.”
Nominations for the Rural Woman of the Year award are open now with nominations closing on April 1, 2026. You can make a nomination here: https://awards.judgify.me/PINZAwards2026
Notes:
This inaugural award recognises an exceptional woman who has made a significant contribution to agriculture, agribusiness or New Zealand’s rural communities.
The recipient has demonstrated clear and sustained excellence in leadership, advocacy or grassroots community involvement, and has made a meaningful impact.
Nominees will have clear evidence of how they have helped lead, inspire, connect, or strengthen New Zealand’s rural communities and the wider agricultural sector.
This category is only open to individual women based in New Zealand.
Nominations must address the following:
– Why was this woman nominated?
– What is her connection to New Zealand’s rural communities?
– How has she demonstrated excellence in leadership, advocacy, or grassroots community involvement?
– What has been the tangible impact of her work for rural New Zealand?
– How has she demonstrated a commitment to supporting or empowering rural communities or the wider agricultural industry?
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Appointments – GUARDIANS APPOINTS JONES TO HEAD REAL ASSETS

Source: Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, manager of the $90 billion NZ Super Fund, has appointed Brendon Jones to the role of Head of Real Assets.

Jones, who joined the Guardians in 2014 as an analyst in the New Zealand Direct Investment team, has been key to some of the Super Fund's most significant investments, including Kaingaroa Tipu, NZ Gourmet, Fidelity Life and Kiwibank. More recently, Jones has led the NZ Super Fund's involvement in the Taranaki Offshore Partnership's proposal to develop a 1GW wind farm in the South Taranaki Bight.

Guardians co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin said Real Assets made up some 15 percent of the Fund's total value, and the sector presented significant opportunities for future growth.

“Domestic infrastructure, for example, is one area we see as providing the type of investment opportunity that suits our competitive advantages as a locally-based sovereign fund with a long investment horizon,” said Goodwin.

“We are very keen to build on the success we have had in infrastructure investing overseas through the likes of renewable energy companies Longroad and Galileo and apply that expertise and the partnerships we have built up in our home market.”

Jones said he enjoyed the diversity of the Real Assets portfolio.

“Real Assets covers everything from our agriculture and horticulture investments in New Zealand and Australia, through renewable energy projects in the US and Europe, to the various residential developments we are currently involved in around New Zealand.

“It's satisfying to work on projects that provide social and environmental benefits to the community, as well as financial returns to the Fund.”

Prior to joining the NZ Super Fund, Jones spent six years in investment banking in Sydney, including time with RBS and Moelis. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with First-Class Honours in Finance from the University of Auckland.

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"Children living in fear": More than 100 million children impacted in Middle East regional conflict – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

At least 100 million children in countries directly impacted by the escalating violence in the Middle East and wider region face deepening fear, distress and the risk of physical harm and displacement, Save the Children said. 
This is the most expansive conflict in the region in decades, impacting at least 15 countries with strikes destroying homes, schools and hospitals in some of the worst-affected countries. Children are at heightened risk of physical and mental harm, exploitation and abuse. 
Nearly 200 children have been killed in the first five days, according to official and media reports – the equivalent of more than six classrooms full of children. 
Many schools across the wider region have closed due to the conflict, children are being kept inside and not allowed out to play, families are struggling to access healthcare services, and children are struggling to sleep. 
Prices of certain food items have skyrocketed in some areas. Families living in the region have spoken of doing everything they can to protect their children, ranging from fleeing homes to seek safety in schools and other buildings to moving in with relatives and friends with basements and more secure areas. 
Save the Children staff said people are taping up windows to stop the glass shattering with explosions and playing white noise to help their children sleep. 
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children's Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Regional Director, said children were paying the highest price in the conflict: 
“Every war is a war on children, and as always, we are seeing children impacted the most. Children are living in fear, caught in the crossfire of this adult war. We have already seen nearly 200 children killed, and more innocent lives could be lost without immediate action. Children must never be considered as acceptable ‘collateral’. Wars have laws and children must be off limits in every conflict. 
“Children across the region are terrified of being pulled into a devastating regional war. For some, this is the first time they have faced blasts and explosions that shake their homes, and they don't understand what is happening. Others have faced too many years of conflict that have marred their childhoods. Some have been displaced multiple times and lost all sense of safety and security. 
“More than 100 million children are living in areas that have been impacted by the escalating hostilities. Every possible effort must be taken to end all hostilities, prevent further escalation, and safeguard children. Only diplomacy can prevent further civilian suffering and create the conditions for lasting security for children across the region. Any further escalation risks pushing an already fragile region into a wider conflagration, with children paying the highest price of a war that they played no part in creating.” 
Save the Children urgently calls on all parties involved to immediately de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ensuring that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, are spared from attack. 
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas risks severe harm to civilians, especially children, and should be avoided at all costs. 
Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights organisation, reaching tens of millions of children annually in about 110 countries through its work to save and improve children’s lives. 
Save the Children is currently raising funds in New Zealand to support the response in the Middle East through its Children's Emergency Fund.
Notes:
  • [1] In the first five days since the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and the wider region, government statements and media reports indicate that at least 181 children under the age of 10 have been killed in Iran, eight in Lebanon according to the country’s ministry of health, three in Israel and one in Kuwait
  • More than 100 million children live in at least 15 countries that have been impacted by the escalation including Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. At least 14 countries have experienced one or more missile or air strikes since 28 February, while Israel closed some of the border crossings into Gaza following this escalation. Child population data for 2026 is taken from UN World Population Prospects. 
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Economy – Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2026

Source: New Zealand Treasury

Thursday, 5 March 2026 – The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the seven months ended 31 January 2026 were released by the Treasury today. The January results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2025 (HYEFU 2025), published on 16 December 2025, and the results for the same period for the previous year.

The key fiscal indicators for the seven months ended 31 January 2026 were overall favourable compared to the forecast. The Government’s main operating indicator, the operating balance before gains and losses excluding ACC (OBEGALx), showed a deficit of $6.0 billion. This deficit was $1.9 billion smaller than forecast. Net core Crown debt was lower than forecast by $1.1 billion at $184.3 billion, or 41.9% of GDP.

Core Crown tax revenue was $70.4 billion, broadly in line with forecast (0.1% below), with small offsetting variances across the major tax types.

Core Crown revenue was $77.3 billion, around $0.4 billion (0.6%) below forecast. Revenue from the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme was lower than expected due to the decline in the NZU price since the forecasts were prepared.

Core Crown expenses, at $83.1 billion, were $1.2 billion (1.5%) below forecast, reflecting lower spending across a range of functional classifications.

The OBEGALx deficit was $1.9 billion less than the forecast deficit. This reflects the core Crown variances mentioned above coupled with favourable results from Crown entities and State-Owned Enterprises.

The operating balance was a surplus of $4.0 billion, $4.5 billion stronger than forecast. The variance reflected a favourable OBEGAL result of $1.8 billion and stronger‑than‑forecast net gains on non‑financial instruments ($2.8 billion), partly offset by weaker-than-expected net gains on financial instruments ($0.3 billion).

The core Crown residual cash deficit of $1.9 billion was $0.8 billion smaller than forecast, reflecting lower operating outflows and higher capital cash inflows.

Net core Crown debt at $184.3 billion (41.9% of GDP) was $1.1 billion lower than forecast. This variance was largely driven by the smaller‑than‑forecast core Crown residual cash deficit mentioned above.

Gross debt at $220.6 billion (50.2% of GDP) was $3.6 billion lower than forecast. This reflected lower‑than‑forecast issuances of Euro Commercial Paper and Treasury bills of $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively.

Net worth attributable to the Crown at $183.5 billion (41.7% of GDP) was $4.6 billion higher than forecast. This favourable variance largely reflects the stronger operating balance result of $4.5 billion, discussed previously.

  

  Year to date Full Year
January
2026
Actual1
$m		 January
2026
HYEFU 2025
Forecast1
$m		 Variance2
HYEFU 2025
$m		 Variance
HYEFU 2025
%		 June
2026
HYEFU 2025
Forecast3
$m
Core Crown tax revenue 70,392 70,452 (60) (0.1) 124,198
Core Crown revenue 77,250 77,683 (433) (0.6) 136,919
Core Crown expenses 83,084 84,329 1,245 1.5 149,047
Core Crown residual cash (1,923) (2,753) 830 30.1 (14,802)
Net core Crown debt4 184,335 185,418 1,083 0.6 196,987
          as a percentage of GDP 41.9% 42.2%     43.3%
Gross debt 220,577 224,211 3,634 1.6 227,225
          as a percentage of GDP 50.2% 51.0%     50.0%
OBEGAL excluding ACC (OBEGALx) (6,002) (7,883) 1,881 23.9 (13,852)
OBEGAL (6,458) (8,236) 1,778 21.6 (16,934)
Operating balance (excluding minority interests) 4,022 (504) 4,526 – (6,547)
Net worth attributable to the Crown 183,485 178,844 4,641  2.6  172,693
          as a percentage of GDP 41.7% 40.7%     38.0%

Using the most recently published GDP (for the year ended 30 September 2025) of $439,709 million (Source: Stats NZ).
Favourable variances against forecast have a positive sign and unfavourable variances against forecast have a negative sign.
Using HYEFU 2025 forecast GDP for the year ending 30 June 2026 of $454,497 million (Source: The Treasury).
Net core Crown debt excludes the NZS Fund and core Crown advances. Net core Crown debt may fluctuate during the year largely reflecting the timing of tax receipts.

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Health and Employment – Payroll failure hits pay for 4,000 Waikato health workers, urgent review needed

Source: PSA

The PSA is calling on Health NZ to conduct an urgent review after a widespread failure in its payroll system left around 4,000 Waikato hospital and health workers without pay yesterday.
The payroll glitch affected roughly half the Waikato health workforce. For workers living pay cheque to pay cheque, the impact was immediate and real. One PSA member was unable to pay their rent.
“Workers turned up and did their jobs, caring for patients, keeping hospitals running, and they deserved to be paid on time. A payroll failure of this scale is not a minor inconvenience, it causes real hardship,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Health NZ has apologised to staff and said the failure was a result of ‘an error in the rostering system used to calculate pays’. Staff would be paid tonight.
“Apologies are not enough; Health NZ must urgently get to the bottom of what happened here and make sure it never happens again. What we do know is the Government’s spending cuts and axing of health workers do not help.
“This is not an isolated incident,” said Fitzsimons. “IT failures have become a recurring feature of our public health system and that is no accident. Just last week a critical medical imaging system was down for two hours across Auckland and Northland hospitals delaying results for clinicians.
“The PSA has repeatedly warned that cuts to Health New Zealand’s Digital Services workforce would make IT failures more likely and harder to fix.
“Health NZ has shed around 23% of its IT workforce, more than 500 staff to meet the Government’s spending cuts. On top of that some 2,800 health workers, including critical clerical and admin workers, have lost their jobs.
“Doing this while the system is already under strain is reckless. Yesterday’s payroll failure is a direct consequence of running a health system without the resources it needs,” said Fitzsimons.
The PSA is calling on Health Minister Simeon Brown and Health NZ to urgently review the state of the health system’s digital infrastructure and to halt further cuts to the Digital Services workforce until a full and independent assessment of IT risk has been completed.
“Workers and patients cannot afford for the Government to keep ignoring the warning signs. It’s time for the Health Minister to act,” said Fitzsimons.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Health – Strengthening the primary care workforce: The College welcomes employment changes for GPEP 1 registrars

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) welcomes the Minister’s announcement that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) will become the direct employer for General Practice Education Programme (GPEP) Year One registrars from February 2027.
GPEP 1 registrars will continue to be able to choose practice employment alongside this new change.
The College and Health NZ have worked together on this change to provide registrars with a smoother transition into GPEP with pay, terms and conditions aligned with other specialist vocational programmes.
College CE, Toby Beaglehole says that the announcement continues the positive momentum towards investing in the future of primary care and ensuring it remains sustainable.
“This announcement is a very positive step forward in removing barriers for house officers joining our GPEP programme, with the continuation of their employment with Health NZ.”
“Alongside the new Primary Care pathway for PGY2s, this is another step forward that continues to build the attractiveness of being a specialist General Practitioner, which will result in a more sustainable primary care system in New Zealand. We know specialist GPs are vital to the health of our communities in New Zealand and are at the frontline of our health care system.”
The 2022 Malatest report highlighted that leaving the hospital-based system was the most significant barrier for doctors entering GP training.
“It's great that GPEP registrars can choose to be employed under Health NZ, with the resultant benefits of continuity of employment that come with this and hopefully enabling similar conditions of employment to their hospital colleagues,” says Dr Ella Barclay, Chair of the College’s Registrar Chapter.
The College continues to aim to get 300 registrars into the GPEP training programme each year, with a clear focus on strengthening New Zealand’s primary care workforce by ensuring that we have more GPs and the workforce pipeline remains sustainable.
With Health NZ now becoming the employer of registrars who are not employed by a private practice in their first year of GPEP training, the College will retain its leadership over educational content, training standards, quality assurance, and clinical placements.
The option for registrars to be employed by a private practice will remain a core component of the GPEP training pathway and has not changed under this agreement.
The College and Health NZ will work together to ensure this process is seamless for new registrars applying for GPEP in 2027.
Applications for the 2027 GPEP intake will be  open from Monday 9 March – Monday 13 April 2026. Find out more and apply on the College website:  Specialise as a general practitioner | RNZCGP
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Tax Reform – Report shows wealth tax practical and necessary to address increasing inequality

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

5 March 2026, 6:30am – Taxing wealth is a practical and necessary step to address increasing inequality, according to a research report released today by Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign.

The report by Tayla Forward shows that a well-designed and enforced wealth tax can help restore progressivity to New Zealand's tax system and generate significant revenue to better fund the public goods and services we all rely upon, but which are crumbling with the weight of underfunding.

“In 2023 IRD research found the wealthiest 311 families paid an effective tax rate of 9%, while ordinary people who earn their income from work or welfare pay 20% on average. That's because our tax system relies too much on income tax and GST, and does not tax wealth in any meaningful way. This report shows that if we get the settings right a wealth tax is a practical and necessary step in addressing this unfairness,” said Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes Campaign.

“Right now ordinary people are contributing more to our collective pool of resources, even though the wealthiest benefit just as much – if not more – from our public goods and services. At the same time, by not taxing wealth we are making inequality worse, enabling the ultra rich to claim an ever greater share of our wealth. Treasury analysis shows the wealthiest 1% of New Zealanders now hold 26% of all assets, while the poorest 50% own just 2% of assets.”

“This increasing inequality is undermining the living standards and opportunities for ordinary people, making it harder for people to ever have enough to buy a home or save for retirement,” said Barclay.

“Poll results released yesterday by Better Taxes Coalition member the Wellbeing Economy Alliance showed that 68% of people support higher taxes on the ultra rich. And that's the focus of wealth taxes – the ultra rich – we're not talking about taxing the hard-earned income of doctors, builders and small-business owners. The poll indicates that the public are ready for taxes on wealth, if properly explained.”

As set out in the report, a net wealth tax:

is an annual tax levied on the net wealth (assets minus debt) that a taxpayer owns above an exemption threshold – e.g. $2m, $5m, $10m. No one with net wealth below the threshold is liable for the tax, and those liable are only taxed on their wealth beyond the threshold – net wealth up to the threshold is exempt;
usually has a low rate – the report considers rates between 1-2% – but still generates revenues in the billions of dollars; and
can be designed to address potential evasion and avoidance, and cashflow/liquidity issues. Further, much feared capital flight is largely “unproductive financial shuffling”, rather than real productivity losses.

“As Tayla Forward states in the report, there is a compelling case for wealth taxation to generate revenue we need to fund our communities, and to address wealth inequality and the concentration of economic power, which undermines living standards, as well as our democratic system and economic efficiency,” said Barclay.

“Further, the report is clear that it is possible to design and implement wealth taxes in ways that address common issues experienced overseas. The real question is whether our leaders are prepared to make the political commitment necessary to ensure ordinary people can still realistically work towards owning their own home, supporting their family and a comfortable retirement, with the support of properly funded public goods and services.”

Summary report (4 pages): https://www.tjanz.org/r?u=eBilUhG948Co9Gi-inm0OY9XASxVKg60q4ZRoYNfpPZ8joQaczigWFV1L8q3of6DGLwf3Uh46z34qDw9Wtu7bDUsf5HxzvRrQlTbSL0t7UEjAsPDS2l7edtBvfViZ40Z&e=a058f8e1b0ba0a060f4e57ba89e35ae1&utm_source=tja&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wealth_tax_report&n=6

Full report: https://www.tjanz.org/r?u=eBilUhG948Co9Gi-inm0OY9XASxVKg60q4ZRoYNfpPb3XZQq7itcKD-bsC2kNrf-nbMRK4IVy-zqMqrEmSmFv3DieTzEE6UGTF3DZUmmS8Oy0LTLgX0O7O3YdUIg7S4m&e=a058f8e1b0ba0a060f4e57ba89e35ae1&utm_source=tja&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wealth_tax_report&n=7

About the report author:

Tayla Forward (Ngāpuhi) is a researcher in economics and political economy based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Fellow of the World Inequality Lab, postgraduate student at the Paris School of Economics, and a research associate at Victoria University of Wellington and at the University of Canterbury. Formerly analyst at the Treasury and Private Secretary to the Minister of Finance.

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Health and Care – Royal Commission highlights critical role of aged care in protecting New Zealand’s health system

Source: Aged Care Association

The Aged Care Association says the findings of the COVID-19 Royal Commission reinforce what the sector has been saying for years: aged residential care is an essential part of New Zealand’s health system and must be treated as core health infrastructure.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin said the report’s lessons for future pandemic planning highlight the critical role that aged residential care facilities play in protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable people.
“Residential aged care facilities provide complex clinical care to tens of thousands of older New Zealanders every day,” Martin said.
“During COVID-19, providers worked tirelessly to protect residents from the virus while continuing to deliver around-the-clock care under extremely difficult circumstances.”
The Royal Commission notes that older people living in residential care are among the most vulnerable populations during infectious disease outbreaks and that stronger national preparedness planning will be required for future pandemics.
Martin said the report reinforces an important point that is often overlooked in health policy discussions.
“ Aged care is health care, and the Royal Commission makes that impossible to ignore.”
“Long-term care facilities cannot be treated as peripheral services in the health system. They are a critical part of our national health infrastructure.”
Approximately 40,000 New Zealanders currently live in aged residential care facilities, receiving nursing care, medication management, dementia care, rehabilitation support and end-of-life care.
“At any given time, aged residential care providers are effectively operating thousands of hospital-level care beds within the community,” Martin said.
“Without aged residential care, hospitals would be under even greater pressure. Recognising residential care as part of the country’s core health infrastructure is essential not only for future pandemic preparedness, but also for the day-to-day functioning of our health system.”
Martin said the Royal Commission’s findings align closely with the sector’s long-standing message that “aged care is health care.”
“For too long aged residential care has been discussed as if it were primarily accommodation for older people,” she said.
“In reality it is a critical part of the healthcare continuum, providing complex clinical care to people who can no longer safely remain at home.”
The Association said the report also highlights the importance of ensuring aged residential care is fully integrated into national health planning for future public health emergencies.
“If we accept that residential care is critical health infrastructure, then we also need to have an honest conversation about whether the way we fund and plan for the sector today is sustainable for the future,” Martin said.
The sector is already seeing increasing demand for care as the population ages, while many providers are operating ageing facilities and facing workforce shortages.
“In many regional communities aged residential care providers are a vital part of the local health system,” Martin said.
“When beds are lost in smaller towns it can mean older people are forced to move away from their families and communities to receive the care they need.”
Martin said planning for the future of aged residential care must be a priority as New Zealand prepares for both future pandemics and the rapid growth of the older population.
“The lessons from COVID-19 should prompt us to ensure the systems supporting older New Zealanders are strong, sustainable and fully integrated into the wider health system.”
The Aged Care Association said it looks forward to working with Government and health agencies to ensure the lessons identified in the Royal Commission report are reflected in future health system planning.
About the Aged Care Association:
The Aged Care Association represents the vast majority of aged residential care providers in New Zealand, supporting more than 670 facilities that provide care to approximately 40,000 older New Zealanders.
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Environment Groups: Statement – Community Demands Answers Over Glyphosate Spraying in Te Henga Wetlands – NMGNZ

Source: No More Glyphosate NZ – NMGNZ

Community Demands Answers Over Glyphosate Spraying in Te Henga Wetlands
Auckland, New Zealand – 05 March 2026 – No More Glyphosate NZ is calling for urgent transparency and an immediate pause on the aerial spraying of glyphosate-based herbicides in the Te Henga wetlands, following reports that spraying has proceeded despite legal action and significant community concern.
 
The controversial operation, reportedly carried out by the environmental group Matuku Link, involves the aerial application of glyphosate formulations to kill willow trees within a sensitive wetland ecosystem in West Auckland.
 
The wetlands of Te Henga are recognised habitat for critically endangered species, including bats and nationally significant bird populations such as the Australasian bittern. Wetlands also represent some of the most ecologically sensitive environments in New Zealand, making the use of agrichemicals in such areas particularly contentious.
 
Recent documentation reviewed by No More Glyphosate NZ raises serious questions about whether adequate environmental safeguards and community consultation have taken place.
 
Chemical risks in wetland environments
Technical analysis of the operation indicates that the herbicide Polaris 450, a glyphosate-based product, was reportedly used alongside Aquakynde, an additional surfactant designed to increase herbicide penetration.
 
According to product safety data sheets and regulatory classifications:

  • Polaris 450 is classified as harmful if inhaled, causing serious eye irritation, and toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
  • Aquakynde surfactants are associated with serious eye damage and aquatic toxicity, with documented impacts on aquatic organisms at very low concentrations.

Importantly, the safety documentation for Polaris 450 explicitly warns users not to allow the product to enter waterways.
 
Yet wetlands, by their very nature, consist of interconnected pools, saturated soils, and slow-moving water systems that can facilitate chemical movement and persistence.
 
When glyphosate formulations are combined with additional surfactants, studies show the aquatic toxicity of the mixture can increase significantly, particularly affecting amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and early life stages of wildlife.
 
Compliance questions remain unanswered
Independent technical review has highlighted that spraying herbicides in or near standing water in wetlands creates high-risk exposure pathways through spray drift, wash-off, and sediment binding.
 
Under New Zealand's hazardous substances framework, agrichemicals with aquatic toxicity classifications are normally prohibited from being applied directly into water unless stringent additional controls are met.
 
Regional planning rules, including the Auckland Unitary Plan (Chapter E34 – Agrichemicals), require agrichemical spraying to avoid spray drift into “sensitive areas” such as water bodies and wetlands, requiring strict management of spray drift, operator competence, and environmental safeguards.
 
In complex wetland systems like Te Henga, experts note that preventing herbicide movement beyond the spray site can be extremely difficult.
 
No More Glyphosate NZ believes the public deserves clear answers to several critical questions:

  • What independent monitoring has been undertaken to assess environmental impacts?
  • Has baseline and post-spray water or sediment testing been conducted for glyphosate and its breakdown product AMPA?
  • What monitoring has been undertaken to protect endangered wildlife species in the spray area?
  • What safeguards were implemented to prevent spray drift affecting nearby residents, wildlife, and waterways?
  • Were local residents adequately informed prior to spraying?
  • How were concerns from community members and environmental groups addressed?

Community trust at stake
Reports indicate that members of the local community have raised concerns with Auckland Council and environmental organisations for over a year, including meetings with council officials and submissions providing scientific data on wildlife impacts.
 
Despite this, the recent spraying reportedly proceeded while legal action was being pursued to halt the operation.
 
For many residents, the issue goes beyond the control of invasive willow trees.
 
It raises deeper concerns about public accountability, environmental stewardship, and the use of toxic herbicides in sensitive ecosystems.
 
A call for precaution and transparency
No More Glyphosate NZ is calling for:

  • An immediate pause on herbicide spraying in the Te Henga wetlands
  • An independent compliance and environmental review of the spraying operations
  • Full disclosure of monitoring data, environmental assessments, and operational plans
  • Genuine community consultation and transparency before any further spraying is considered.

“Wetlands are among the most fragile ecosystems we have,” said a spokesperson for No More Glyphosate NZ.
 
“When chemicals classified as toxic to aquatic life are sprayed in these environments, the burden of proof must be extremely high that no harm will occur.”
 
“Right now, the public simply doesn't have enough information to be confident that this standard has been met.”
 
Until those questions are answered, the organisation believes the precautionary principle should apply.
 
“This is not an emergency situation. Taking the time to ensure environmental safeguards and community concerns are properly addressed should be the responsible course of action.”
 
About No More Glyphosate NZ
No More Glyphosate NZ is an independent public-interest initiative advocating for greater transparency, safer weed management practices, and reduced reliance on glyphosate-based herbicides in New Zealand.
 
The organisation works with communities, researchers, and environmental advocates to promote evidence-based decision making and protect public and ecological health.